THURSDAY in Broadcast History .. Feb. 8th

ON THIS DAY in 1888

actress Dame Edith Evans was born in London.
Regarded as the greatest actress of the English stage in the 20th century, she had limited broadcast credits in North America. She appeared on TV on The Hallmark Hall of Fame, David Copperfield, and in the miniseries The Gambler & QB VII. She died Oct 14, 1976 at age 88.

On this day in 1905, actor/announcer Truman Bradley was born in Sheldon Missouri. He was an iconic announcer in bigtime radio, from the early days of The Red Skelton Show to the Roma Wines commercials on the Suspense series. On TV he was the on-screen host & narrator for Science Fiction Theater. He died July 28 1974 at age 69.

On this day in 1908, actor Myron McCormick was born in Albany Indiana. One of the great character actors on the Broadway stage, he made a few memorable appearances on TV in the likes of Ben Casey, Naked City, The Untouchables, 87th Precinct, Outlaws, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. He died of cancer July 30 1962 at age 54.

On this day in 2012, stage & radio actress Margot Stevenson was born in New York City. She is best remembered in the role of Margot Lane opposite Orson Welles in the 1938 season of Mutual radio’s The Shadow. She died Jan. 2 2011 at age 98.

On this day in 1921, actress Lana Turner was born in Wallace Idaho. After an impressive big screen career she accepted a handful of mature roles on TV series Falcon Crest, The Survivors & The Love Boat. She also appeared as herself with Carol Burnett, Bob Hope, Dinah Shore and Johnny Carson. She died of throat cancer June 29, 1995 at age 74.

On this day in 1922, President Warren G. Harding had a radio installed in the White House.

On this day in 1924, the first coast-to-coast US radio hookup took place for a speech by General John Joseph Carty from Chicago.

On this day in 1925, actor Jack Lemmon was born John Uhler Lemmon III in Newton Mass. Besides a host of big screen successes he lit up the TV screen in Tuesdays with Morrie, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Inherit the Wind, 12 Angry Men & The Long Way Home. Early in his career he was seen repeatedly on the Kraft Television Theatre, Playhouse 90, Studio One & Alcoa Theatre, and a couple of short-lived series. Lemmon succumbed to bladder cancer June 27, 2001 at age 76.

On this day in 1926, actress Audrey Meadows was born in Wuchang China. She won an Emmy for her memorable role as Alice in the Jackie Gleason Show sketch, The Honeymooners. She also appeared at least 7 times on The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts. She died of lung cancer Feb 3, 1996 just days short of her 70th birthday.

On this day in 1928, the first transatlantic TV image was received, at Hartsdale NY.

Also this day in 1928, Scottish inventor J. Blaird demonstrated color-TV.

On this day in 1930, actor Alejandro Rey was born in Buenos Aires. His TV credits include The Flying Nun, Days of Our Lives, Dallas, Slattery’s People & The Dick Powell Theatre. He died of lung cancer May 21, 1987 at age 57.

On this day in 1931, iconic actor James Deanwas born in Marion Indiana. Before his tragically brief Hollywood career he did an impressive array of TV, much of it live in Kraft TV Theatre, Studio One, US Steel Hour, Campbell Playhouse & Danger. He was killed in car crash Sep 30, 1955 at the tender age of 24.

On this day in 1946, at 5 pm CKPG signed on the air in Prince George, B.C. at 1230 khz with a 250-watt transmitter located at South Fort George.

On this day in 1952, “The RCA Victor Show Starring Dennis Day” debuted on NBC TV. This was the series that introduced us to custodian Charlie Weaver, the character created by Cliff Arquette who became a TV talk show favorite.

On this day in 1956, Buddy Holley received his Decca recording contract from Jim Denny of Cedarwood Publishing. Buddy’s name had been misspelled, mistakenly dropping the ‘e’ in Holley. As a result, Buddy adopted the Holly spelling for his last name.

On this day in 1958, KIRO TV channel 7 in Seattle (CBS) began broadcasting.

On this day in 1959, Johnny Cash took to the Ed Sullivan stage for his one and only performance on CBS-TV’s much-watched Sunday show, singing his first hit for the Columbia label, “Don’t Take Your Guns To Town.” Frankie Laine and actor Richard Boone were also on the bill.

On this day in 1960, U.S. Congressional investigators began exploring the influence of payola in the radio and record industries. Alan Freed and “American Bandstand” host, Dick Clark, among others, were called to testify.

Also this day in 1960, the official groundbreaking took place in Los Angeles for the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The eight randomly chosen first inductees – Joanne Woodward, Ronald Colman, Burt Lancaster, Preston Foster, Edward Sedgwick, Louise Fazenda, Olive Borden and Ernest Torrence – had their stars installed in one group ceremony.

On this day in 1961, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was “Calcutta” by Lawrence Welk. Welk and his orchestra – which includes a harpsichord – recorded the song in one take.

On this day in 1962, the Beach Boys had their 2nd-ever recording session, including “Surfin’ Safari.” But it was deemed to be substandard, and the hit version was taped two months later.

On this day in 1963, the Four Tops were recruited by Motown Records and received a bonus of $400 to sign.

On this day in 1964, the publisher of the hit song “Louie Louie” offered $1,000 to anyone would could find suggestive lyrics in the song.

Also in 1964, on their first full day in the US, The Beatles (minus George who was suffering a sore throat), went for a photo-opportunity walk around New York City’s Central Park. Extra police were called in to keep fans at a distance. Later The Ronettes interviewed the band for radio, and the Fab Four rehearsed for their Ed Sullivan Show appearance the following day.

On this day in 1965, the Supremes released what would soon be their fourth #1 hit in a row, ‘Stop In the Name of Love’.

On this day in 1969, George Harrison‘s tonsils were removed at London’s University College Hospital. The tonsils were destroyed so they could not be sold.

Also this day in 1969, the “supergroup” Blind Faith was formed, featuring Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Steve Winwood. They disbanded after just six months.

On this day in 1970, CBS-TV’s Ed Sullivan Show featured Bobby Goldsboro singing “Everybody’s Talkin'” & “Can You Feel It?” Boots Randolph, Floyd Cramer, Chet Atkins, Richard Pryor and George Carlin were also on the bill.

On this day in 1971, the Bob Dylan film “Eat The Document” was shown at the New York Academy of Music. The 52-minute film documented Dylan’s 1966 tour of Europe backstage, on stage and off stage. Dylan had wanted it to appear on T-V, but the documentary didn’t make it to the small screen until ten years later.

Also this day in 1971, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was “One Bad Apple” by The Osmonds.

On this day in 1972, the official Beatles Fan Club was disbanded. And Paul McCartney began his post-Beatles performing career as his new group “Wings” began an informal tour of the UK.

On this day in 1973, Carly Simon was awarded a Gold Record for her hit single “You’re So Vain,” which had been released less than 2 months earlier.

On this day in 1974, in the UK, Ringo Starr released his soon-to-be-hit single “You’re Sixteen.”

Also this day in 1974, the sitcom “Good Times” with Jimmie Walker began its six season run on CBS TV.

Still in 1974, Olivia Newton-John‘s hit single “Let Me Be There” was certified as a Gold Record.

On this day in 1975, the song “Fire” by the Ohio Players topped the charts… but only for a week.

Also this day in 1975, Queen‘s single “Killer Queen” was released. It soon became their first international hit.

On this day in 1981, the No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit was “Celebration” by Kool & the Gang. The song was the theme song of the 1981 Super Bowl and was played for the 52 American hostages upon their return to the U.S. from Iran.

On this day in 1982, Olivia Newton-John‘s TV special “Let’s Get Physical,” named for her current hit single, aired on ABC.

Also this day in 1982, Cher was starring on Broadway in the preview night performance of “Come Back to the Five & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean.”

On this day in 1985, actor Marvin Miller died at age 71 after a heart attack. He was best known as the Signal Oil announcer on CBS Radio’s memorable series The Whistler, and as Michael Anthony, the man who passed out a weekly cheque on CBS-TV’s hit series The Millionaire in the late 1950’s.

Also this day in 1985, “The Dukes of Hazzard” ended its 6-1/2 year run on CBS television. The series was credited with using more stunt men than any other series in TV history. The show had used as many as eight cars per episode when the crash sequences got complicated. Waylon Jennings did the theme song, “The Dukes of Hazzard (Good Ol’ Boys)”.

On this day in 1987, actress Harriet E. MacGibbon died of pulmonary failure at age 81. She is best remembered as Mrs. Drysdale on The Beverly Hillbillies; she also had a recurring role on The Smothers Bros. Show.

On this day in 1988, The Who (without Keith Moon) reunited for their 25th anniversary at a London awards ceremony.

On this day in 1990, singer Del Shannon (Charles Westover) committed suicide at age 55. He shot himself in the head with a .22 caliber rifle at his California home. Shannon’s first and biggest hit was “Runaway”, which hit number one in the U.S. in April 1961. His other top-20 singles included “Hats Off to Larry”, “Little Town Flirt” and “Keep Searchin’ (We’ll Follow the Sun)”.

Also this day in 1990, “60 Minutes” commentator Andy Rooney was suspended by CBS for racial remarks attributed to him by a gay magazine. Rooney denied the quotes, and was reinstated.

On this day in 1992 the single by R*S*F (Right Said Fred), “I’m Too Sexy”, was #1 in the U.S. It was a smash, staying at number one for three weeks, then dropping to number two for three more.

On this day in 1993, General Motors sued NBC, alleging that the “Dateline NBC” program had rigged 2 car-truck crashes to show that 1973-87 GM pickups were prone to fires. The suit was settled the following day by NBC.

Also this day in 1993, singer Tom Jones guested on NBC-TV’s “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air,” playing a Welsh angel.

On this day in 1994, composer/orch leader Raymond Scott died of pneumonia at age 85. He was musical director on radio & TV for Your Hit Parade in the 1950’s, and for TV’s What’s My Line. His music is familiar to millions because of its adaptation by Warner Brothers in over 120 classic Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck animated features. Scott’s melodies have also been heard in 12 Ren & Stimpy TV episodes.

Also this day in 1994, Barry Manilow launched a 28 million dollar lawsuit against Los Angeles radio station KBIG over its pledge to not play his music and its TV ad campaign in support of the “No Manilow” policy.

Still this day in 1994, Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee was charged with possession of a loaded firearm.

On this day in 1996, the “Telecommunications Act of 1996” deregulated radio ownership in the US.

On this day in 1996, trumpeter/bandleader Mercer Kennedy Ellington suffered a fatal heart attack at age 76. He had taken over his father’s (Duke Ellington) orchestra, but never escaped his shadow.

On this day in 1996, CKWX ended its country music format after 23 years by playing the country classic Ray Price’s “For the Good Times” just before 8 a.m. At the top of the hour CKWX NEWS 1130 debuted, bringing a 24-hour all news format to Vancouver with a tight 30-minute wheel of news every half hour. The change would make the CKWX newsroom the largest radio newsroom in Western Canada.

On this day in 2004, at the 46th Grammy Awards, Coldplay, Outkast, Richard Marx, Luther Vandross, Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake won the major awards.

On this day in 2005, jazz organist Jimmy Smith (Walk On The Wild Side Part 1) died at age 76.

Also this day in 2005, Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman of the Guess Who were inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall Of Fame. They both performed at a star-studded gala in Toronto that included Buffy Sainte-Marie, Colin James, Jeff Healey, Gordon Lightfoot, Ian Tyson and Tom Cochrane.

On this day in 2006, the 48th annual Grammy Awards were held in Los Angeles. Madonna opened the telecast (for a third time), U2 came away with 5 awards while Mariah Carey won 3 of her 8 nominations.

On this day in 2007, stripper/model/TV personality Anna Nicole Smith died of an accidental prescription drug overdose at age 41. The former Playmate of the Year (1992) and widow of an oil tycoon 63 years her senior, achieved a notoriety that resulted in her own reality show for two years on the E Television network.

Also in 2007, John Mellencamp appeared on CBS’ Late Show with David Letterman to promote his album “Freedom’s Road.”

On this day in 2009, R&B singer Chris Brown was questioned by Los Angeles police over a complaint of assault. The 19-year-old had pulled out of his performance at the Grammy Awards, as did his pop star girlfriend Rihanna. Police said Mr Brown argued with an unidentified woman while sitting in a car. Brown was later released on $50,000 bail.

On this day in 2010, Dr. Conrad Murray was indicted for manslaughter in the death of Michael Jackson. He was released on $75,000 bail.
Also in 2010, Ringo Starr received his star in front of the Capitol tower on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Still in 2010, E Street Band drummer Max Weinberg underwent open heart surgery, just two weeks after the end of his run as music director for Conan O’Brien’s Tonight Show on NBC.

On this day in 2011, actor Philip Bruns, best remembered as the title character’s father on the 1970’s spoof TV soap opera, “Mary Hartman Mary Hartman,” died of ‘natural causes’ at age 80.

Also in 2011, singer-songwriters Robbie Robertson (Toronto) and Jack Scott (Windsor) were inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

On this day in 2012, Ozzy Osbourne began his new role as a deejay on Sirius Radio’s “Ozzy’s Boneyard.”

On this day in 2013, Bruce Springsteen was named the 2013 MusiCares Person of the Year at a ceremony in L.A., two days before the 55th annual Grammy Awards. He was honored for both his creative accomplishments and charitable work over the years.

On this day in 2015, the 57th Grammy Awards at L.A.’s Staples Centre were carried live by CBS-TV. Sam Smith walked away with trophies for song of the year, record of the year, best new artist and best pop vocal album, and Beck won Album of the Year for Morning Phase.